Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are continuing a time-honored tradition: serving society through practical outreach that aim to reaffirm dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the welfare of others in the community.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized a wide range of public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, crisis response drills, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Comparable programs took place in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology puts assisting those in need at the heart of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a principle that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to educational campaigns on drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an indispensable step toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has been put into action through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to recognize and copyright the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, illustrate the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is a prerequisite for individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often working hand-in-hand with local associations to respond to social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work complements the European Union’s commitment to human rights awareness and local involvement.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, European representative of the Church of Scientology, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals choose to care for their communities, they also move closer to understanding their own inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most recognizable expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, established in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their bright yellow uniforms, VMs serve in over 200 nations, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their courses — accessible to every interested person — teaches practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the conviction that people, when supported with care and insight, can rise above hardship and rebuild their futures. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has struck a chord worldwide.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have placed strong emphasis on education as a proactive solution. The news europawahl “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and hosted community forums in collaboration with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but delivered alongside secular institutions, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This cooperative spirit has gained appreciation from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not apart from their religious practice — it is the very way that spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both personal study and service to others. Helping one’s community thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that values solidarity and mutual aid,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy by bringing ethical insights into practical action — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life